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A New Zealand lawyer has been struck off the roll of barristers and solicitors after he fleeced clients to the tune of NZ$270,000.

Warren McFie stole more than NZ$230,000 from client funds, and also overcharged one client over NZ$42,000 in 23 invoices over a 17 month period.

McFie had previously been sentenced by the Auckland District
Court to 12 months home detention and 150 hours community service for his actions. He has now also been hauled before the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal.

Guyon Foley, McFie's lawyer, told the tribunal that his client was "truly remorseful" and that he had sold his house in order to reimburse the clients that he had stolen from. The tribunal ordered that McFie also refund the client who had been overcharged, and slapped him with a costs order of NZ$5350 to pay the New Zealand Law Society for the hearing.

McFie - flung off the roll

Law Society president Kathryn Beck said that McFie had to be struck off the roll since "misappropriation of client money goes to the heart of the relationship of trust" and there is "no excuse" when that trust is breached.